feudal Japan

Feudal Japan was a hierarchical society from the 12th to 19th centuries, dominated by a complex system of loyalties and land ownership. At the top were the emperors and shoguns who held political authority, though real power often rested with military leaders. Below them, daimyo (noble landowners) controlled domains and had their own armies of samurai warriors, who pledged loyalty in exchange for protection and land. Farmers, artisans, and merchants made up the lower classes. Society was organized around mutual obligations, with a focus on loyalty, honor, and martial skill, shaping Japanese culture and politics for centuries.